Plans to transform two long-vacant buildings on Locust Street in downtown St. Louis are moving forward. Demolition bids are open to prep 917 and 921 Locust to be built out as market rate apartments. In April of last year, nextSTL was first to report TWG Development of Indianapolis had purchased the long-vacant row of historic buildings at 913-921 Locust Street in downtown St. Louis. The buildings were purchased from UrbanStreet, which had acquired them from the Roberts Brothers liquidation in 2012.

Demolition plans provide a first look at possible floor plans and unit layout for the project. The two larger buildings are planned to accommodate 88 apartments.

The corner building at 921 Locust is not included in the interior demolition plans, leaving its future still in doubt. The latest plan had TWG considering demolition and replacement with a two-story building. nextSTL has chronicled the building’s interesting history as an art gallery in this profile: When the Art World Came to St. Louis.

{923 Locust in 1955 – even though the gallery had moved across the street and a modern storefront added, framed paintings can still be seen in the second story window}

Work could begin as early as Spring 2017. TWG recently completed an historic renovation project with some similarities in Indianapolis. The 14-story Penn Street Tower opened after a 20-year vacancy as 98 apartments last year. The 185,000 sf, 1913 building was renovated at a reported cost of $14M.

Looking west, then east along Locust Street:

Rendering of a previous proposal for a Hotel Indigo at 913-923 Locust: